Job Description
Job Title: Program Manager
Organization: Braven Foundation
Location: Long Beach, CA
Employment Type: Full-Time
Salary: $55k - $65k
About the Role
The Braven Foundation is seeking a strategic, results-driven Program Manager to own the execution and growth of our core community initiatives and grant-writing portfolio. Reporting directly to the Director of Operations, you will hold primary accountability for the success of our Small Business Program and our tech partnerships.
As a manager, you will move beyond daily task execution to drive high-level strategy, manage program execution, track hard performance metrics, and secure the funding required to scale our impact. This role requires a leader with a demonstrated passion for empowering underrepresented communities and fostering small business entrepreneurship, coupled with the business acumen to deliver measurable results.
Key Responsibilities & Concrete Deliverables
1. Grant Writing & Strategic Account Management
Develop and execute an annual grant funding strategy (local, state, federal, and private)
Build and manage a robust grant pipeline (LOIs, proposals, renewals)
Serve as the primary account manager for institutional funders
Ensure on-time, zero-defect compliance reporting (financial + programmatic)
Lead quarterly sponsor reviews to demonstrate impact and secure renewals
Translate program outcomes into compelling narratives and reports
2. Small Business Program Management
Recruit, onboard, and graduate small business cohorts annually
Own and manage program budgets, forecasting, and ROI optimization
Build and maintain a KPI dashboard (graduation rates, revenue growth, jobs created)
Continuously audit and upgrade curriculum (biannual updates)
Develop case studies, impact reports, and success stories
Ensure high-quality participant experience and measurable outcomes
3. Workshop Programs & Operations
Plan, market, and execute:
7–10 virtual workshops/webinars per month
1–2 in-person workshops per month
Own event performance metrics (attendance, replay views, engagement)
Drive year-over-year growth in certifications and program participation
Maintain and manage a multi-state event calendar
Coordinate post-event replay campaigns and engagement strategies
Optimize attendance growth (target: increasing average attendance and reach)
4. Strategic Partnerships & Outreach (CORE GROWTH FUNCTION)
Identify and secure partnerships (across 11 states) with:
Chambers of Commerce
SBDCs
Nonprofits
Economic development organizations
Trade associations
Conduct structured outreach (email, calls, social)
Build and maintain a CRM of partners across multiple states
Lead partner discovery calls and onboarding
Provide partners with co-marketing kits (email copy, social assets, flyers)
Ensure partners actively promote workshops and drive attendance
Maintain a rolling 90-day outreach pipeline
5. Conference Strategy & Market Expansion
Identify business conferences and speaking opportunities
Pitch workshops and speaking engagements to event organizers
Secure conference placements quarterly across key markets
Expand Braven Foundation’s presence across Western U.S. regions
Track deadlines, submissions, and outcomes for opportunities
6. Performance Tracking & Reporting
Track and report on:
Workshop volume and attendance
Partner performance
Grant pipeline progress
Program KPIs
Deliver:
Weekly pipeline and outreach reports
Monthly performance summaries
Continuously optimize based on data and performance insights
Qualifications & Skill Set
Experience:
3–5 years of professional experience in program management, grant writing, or non-profit leadership.
Proven track record of managing program budgets large and consistently meeting or exceeding programmatic deliverables.
A demonstrable portfolio of secured grant funding, encompassing corporate, foundation, and/or government applications.
Direct experience managing small business incubators, economic development programs, or corporate-community tech partnerships
Core Competencies
Strategic Execution:
Ability to manage multiple work streams across programs, partnerships, and funding simultaneously
Partnership & Relationship Building:
Strong ability to build trust and influence across organizations
Data-Driven Decision Making:
Comfortable using metrics to optimize performance and drive growth
Communication & Storytelling:
Can translate impact into compelling narratives for funders and stakeholders
Autonomous Ownership:
Self-starter who thrives with minimal oversight and full accountability
Operational Excellence:
Highly organized with strong systems for tracking outreach, events, and reporting
Success Metrics (What Winning Looks Like)
Consistently securing 7–10 workshops/month + 1–2 in-person events
Growing attendance and replay engagement
Building a strong multi-state partner network
Meeting or exceeding grant funding targets
Delivering high-performing small business cohorts
Maintaining 100% on-time reporting and compliance